The Stormers were the only South African side to taste victory in a difficult third round of United Rugby Championship fixtures abroad, claiming a dominant 34-0 bonus-point win over the Scarlets in Llanelli.

Led by returning Springboks Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Damian Willemse, the Capetonians produced a complete performance, scoring five tries while keeping the Welsh hosts scoreless despite two yellow cards. Feinberg-Mngomezulu contributed 14 points, including a try, two conversions, and a penalty, as the Stormers extended their unbeaten start to the season.

Saturday brought no such joy for the other South African teams. In Treviso, the Lions were outclassed 41-15 by Benetton, with Louis Lynagh scoring four tries for the Italians. The Johannesburg side managed only two tries through Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Conraad van Vuuren, suffering their third consecutive defeat of the campaign.

Leinster, meanwhile, found form in Dublin with a commanding 31-5 win over the Sharks. The Irish giants ran in five tries, while the KwaZulu-Natal side’s only score came from Springbok wing Ethan Hooker, who intercepted and sprinted clear to the line.

In Belfast, the Bulls’ unbeaten run came to an end with a 28-7 defeat to Ulster. A yellow card to Jeandre Rudolph early in the second half proved costly as the hosts crossed for three quick tries that sealed the result.

The Stormers now sit atop the URC standings on 14 points, level with Munster. The Bulls slipped to sixth with 10 points, while the Sharks and Lions languish in 13th and 15th. The Stormers and Bulls remain on tour for next weekend’s fixtures, while the Sharks and Lions return home seeking redemption.